Anyone who has had the great pleasure of exploring Patagonia and the terminus of the Andes mountain range in southern Chile will know that this is a land of unspeakable beauty and natural abundance, a simultaneously powerful and fragile diverse range of ecosystems. There are two ways to exploit this land’s natural resources – one…
Video of the Week :: Return to Namibia
If you listened to the Overland Journal Podcast recently or saw Joe Fleming’s stunning photo essay from his moto adventure in Southern Africa just a few weeks ago, you probably have a little Africa travel itch you need to scratch. I know I do. It’s almost impossible to take a bad photograph in Namibia, and…
Destinations :: The Ceramic Gulf of Turkey
The Ceramic Gulf in Southwestern Turkey is a perfect year-round travel destination. In summer there is plenty of inviting water to go for a swim and cool off, while in winter the temperatures are pleasant enough to go for a hike. Locally known as the Gulf of Kerme or Gulf of Gökova, the bright blue…
Overlanding Europe? Here’s What You Need to Know About the Schengen Zone.
Whether you’re a history buff, espresso fanatic, art lover, off-road adventurer (or a combination of the above), there are many compelling reasons to tour the European continent by vehicle. For North Americans, shorter driving distances and a wide variety of foods, languages, and scenery make the region a particularly rewarding travel destination. Or, perhaps you’re…
Touratech-USA Presents: Riding Solo AZ to BC
Touratech-USA Announces a New Sterling Noren Film Grab some popcorn, get comfortable, and enjoy the ride. Sterling Noren is about to take you to Canada as no one else has. The noted filmmaker and adventure traveler has teamed with Touratech-USA on another off-pavement motorcycle travel film. Riding Solo AZ to BC follows the 2020 release…
Destinations :: Field Station Moab
Moab, Utah, is one of the true outdoor adventure meccas of North America. I have many happy memories from my trips there, both as a launching pad for exploring the seemingly endless trails and national parks in the surrounding area and for the town itself, which has an eclectic mix of Jeepers, climbers, mountain bikers,…
Destination of the Week :: Baxter State Park, Maine
All images by Baxter State Park Percival Proctor Baxter an American politician and philanthropist from Maine purchased 6,000 acres of land in 1930 and in 1931 donated the entire parcel to the State of Maine. Upon his death in 1969, had donated over 28 deeds amounting to over 200,00o acres of wilderness known as the…
Destinations :: The Storr, Skye, Scotland
Some destinations around the world come to represent an entire region or country. A great example is the Storr, which is often used for advertising the Isle of Skye or Scotland as a whole. It has subsequently become of the most famous destinations in the entire country, and for good reason. Tourist agencies use the…
Destination: Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada
Photographs courtesy of Travel Alberta. Lead photo: Amanda Dias. Located in the southwest corner of Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park is a hop, skip, and jump from the US/Canada border. In fact, in 1931, Waterton Lakes and Montana’s Glacier National Park formed the world’s first international peace park and World Heritage Site: the Waterton Glacier…
BMW Partners with BDR on Oregon Route
BMW Motorrad USA is collaborating with Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) on their newest project in the west, Oregon. The ORBDR brings the total routes created by the non-profit BDR organization to an even dozen. It is the second with BMW as a partner, the first being the Wyoming BDR. ORBDR Film Premier Save the date:…
Georgia, the Road Leads Back to You
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Winter 2022 Issue. Georgia—not the American state Ray Charles and Martin Luther King hailed from, but the little-known country located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe—is a mountainous place of wild and astonishing beauty. Monasteries, watchtowers, and fortresses dating to the Middle Ages stand…
Destinations :: Kyrgyzstan’s Karakol Region
Karakol is a convenient hub to explore the magical surroundings of its mountains and the immense Lake Issyk-Kul. It’s a great home base in Eastern Kyrgyzstan to stock up on food, water, and fuel; get your laundry done; take a rest (Riverside Guesthouse lets overlanders camp in the parking lot for a small fee); and…
Favorite Overland Journal Podcast Episodes of 2022
Whether folks were driving, pumping iron at the gym, scrubbing stubborn bathroom tiles, or taking Fido for a walk, an estimated 120 million listeners tuned in to an endless supply of podcasts in 2021. This figure will undoubtedly rise by the end of 2022 as podcast popularity continues to grow and the holiday season wraps…
Destinations :: Bunes Beach, Lofoten, Norway
Bunes Beach, or Bunesstranda, is located on the northern side of Moskenes (part of the Lofotodden National Park) and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in Lofoten. They say that adventure is as much about the journey as the destination, which is certainly true of Bunes. A ferry that leaves from…
Destination: Laguna 69, Huascarán National Park, Perú
Photography by Richard Giordano Located within the central Peruvian Andes, UNESCO World Heritage Site Huascarán National Park is home to 27 peaks over 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) and the highest tropical mountain range in the world, the Cordillera Blanca. Hiking opportunities abound, but the most popular trek is to Laguna 69, a jewel-toned lake bordered…
Winter Solstice Road Trip :: Witnessing the Ancient Solar Event
North American adventurers will soon set their GPSs in the direction of New Mexico to watch the sun rise and set in the state’s barren desserts, endless landscapes offering ancient architecture aligned with the winter solstice. A little further south, there is a large labyrinth tucked into the hillside of New Mexico’s Jemez Mountains. The…
Destination of the Week :: Pamukkale, Turkiye
Turkiye is a beautiful country and a delight to visit, with diverse landscapes made up of gorgeous beaches, idyllic villages, ancient ruins, and impressive mountains. We also found the Turkish one of the most hospitable people we have met on our travels around the world. Pamukkale, home to the white terraced thermal pools and a…
Video Crossing the Devil :: The First EV Crossing of the Longest Trail in the USA
Destination :: Neist Point Lighthouse, Isle of Skye, Scotland
As an avid traveler, I’m fortunate to visit many beautiful locations, but with a world to see it takes a decidedly special destination to bring me back more than once. I have visited Neist Point Lighthouse at least five times and it never disappoints. Neist Point is located on the most westerly tip of Skye…
Destination: Gjógv, Faroe Islands
Photography by Richard Giordano If it’s quiet contemplation that you seek, the small Faroese coastal village of Gjógv might be exactly what you’re looking for. Ridiculously picturesque and boasting one hotel, restaurant, and coffee shop, Gjógv is a place to slow down, read a book, and enjoy the contented stillness of this hillside town. But…